To Enjoy God Forever

Yesterday I read that The Shorter Catechism says, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” My husband tells me John Piper takes it a bit further, saying, “by enjoying him forever.”

I nod a resounding yes.
To both.

Later, I listened to a sermon I’ve had in my podcasts, and the pastor quoted a long passage by George Mueller… one which essentially said that among all pursuits, we must chase our soul’s happiness in God.

Again, I nod a resounding yes, because I’ve had a crazy few years. There’s something all the broken is leading me to, and it’s this:

In Psalm 1 God promises that those who delight is in the law of the Lord will be like a tree “planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither.”

I’ve seen that the enemy of our soul would love to steal all our HOPE. He’d love to ravage our JOY. To strip us of PEACE.

Because these are the fruits of a life drawing its nourishment from the Word of God. These are the promises of Scripture. These are how we glorify Him. Enjoying Him forever.

If we’re not deeply rooted in the Word, we will be “children tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine,” Ephesians 4:14.

When the storms come, we will fall. The foundation of our lives revealed.

I want to succeed at life – whatever it is God has planned. There’s not one detail hidden from Him. Not one surprise. And He promises that we can have this hope, joy and peace every step of the way.

It isn’t selfish to chase after them, because in this we’re running toward Him.

Him.
Water to our thirst.
Food to our hunger.
Satisfaction to our every need.

Why would we pursue anything else? Because all else will fail. All else will pass away.

Yesterday, I also read that George MacDonald said, “The care that is filling your mind at this moment…that need which is no need, is a demon sucking at the spring of your life.”

Jesus already said it. The seed that falls by the wayside is the Word of God and it will be choked out by the cares and concerns of this life. Those worries, those fears, just “a demon sucking at the spring of your life.”

Don’t let the enemy steal your hope. Your joy. Your peace.
Own them, by pulling out the Word of God.
Let Him saturate your life.
Find Him to be all you need.

And with me, you’ll nod your head a resounding yes.
On a pursuit which surpasses all others. Our soul’s happiness in God. Resting on a tested foundation. Our soul standing strong on the rock of our salvation.

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Comments

Dear Jacqui,
It is highly likely this post was written for me. You could of put it in an email and started with Dear Leah, listen up. I have been struggling, struggling, what feels like a losing battle in so many areas in my life for several months. I try hard, fall hard. I read this post sitting at Barnes and Noble cafe {still here now actually} and I realized that I have never thought to enjoy God. Have no idea how to really. Taking up my friends suggestion I grabbed Eugene Peterson’s The Message Bible and a journal off the shelf. Yes, I paid for them. Amazing what The Word opened up. Honestly, I have not even been reading The Bible. But praying a lot, cuz that seems for proactive and more powerful ya know? Enjoying God, who knew?
Cheers,
Leah
PS
Does Lydia have that new baby smell still?

Hey Leah, I think I was actually speaking all this to myself, too! I forget to enjoy God sometimes. I just get so wrapped up in myself. Anyway, I’m glad you picked up a Bible, started reading, and felt like it opened up to you. I really believe that’s where it starts. Just listening for Him to speak. And yes, Lydia does have that new baby smell – and it’s heavenly! :) She’s such a blessing-a very happy baby! I’m still waking up enough times in the night that my brain doesn’t really function well, though! I. can’t. wait. to have my mind back! But the trade-off is so worth it! Alright, blessings dear friend!

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